Virgil van Dijk says Joe Gomez's England recall is deserved as the Liverpool captain backed him to take his chance
Gomez has excelled for Jurgen Klopp's team this term, playing in four different positions
The versatile 26-year-old is in line for his first England appearance since October 2020 when Gareth Southgate's men meet Brazil and Belgium
The Reds skipper also revealed how he and team-mate Ibrahima Konate told Gomez not to book any late-March holidays due to an expected phone call from Three Lions boss Southgate
Van Dijk
“I'm very happy for him."
"To be honest me and Ibou (Konate) have been saying for quite a while he definitely shouldn't book any holidays in this international period as he will definitely be in [the England squad].
"Still, it's been such a long time for him, the work he has put in day in, day out - him and his family - not many people see but he has been outstanding the whole season already and I'm delighted. Let him get his chance and then he will show he should stay in the squad."
Gomez, who is the longest-serving player at Liverpool, needs just four more appearances to surpass the 43 he made in 2019-20
Van Dijk added:
“I think it's a bit of everything: playing more helps, of course, but the confidence he plays with as well in any position across the back line and a couple of games as a holding midfielder
"Staying fit but it also starts with playing and having the confidence. He's doing great, he's a fantastic player and I've been very close with him.
“I think we always want to play. We all became football players to play the game and play at the absolutely highest level and Sunday (against Manchester United in the FA Cup) will be another nice game to be involved in and a tough game. We always have a difficult games against them and I expect a difficult one on Sunday as well."
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